Starting over, suggestions for new analog/digital hybrid recording set up

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Ephi82

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I am about to start all over again and I need some guidance.

I have been running a TASCAM 2488.

I have lots of mics, dynamic and condensors. I have several outboard pres, including a Great River. I have several outboad compressors and a Lexicon reverb unit. I have JBL LSR 4328 monitors w/ sub. As you can see, I like outboard stuff. I also want to be able to sum in analog when I am mixing, and be able to do analog buss compression before it goes back in the box.

I really like the workflow and the aesthetic of working with a board. Want to get the best of both analog and digital capabilities

I believe I want to replace the 2488 with:

-dedicated desktop PC running Windows 7
-a hybrid analog board WITH the ability to be a DAW controller (primarily transport controls) and have on board converters to interface with the DAW.
-This board also provides me with a Monitor controller, and lets me provide sub mixes for headphones when tracking.

What suggestions do you have for the board/controller? (I have been researching the A&H Zed 16)

What software package is known to be the friendliest to the those who are new to recording on a PC, but are an experienced recordist?

Thanks
 
bUMP?

I would have thought that my question was a perfect one for a forum like this?
 
You could pick up an old Tascam MX2424 hard disc recorder fitted with a 24 channel analog card, I have 2 off these and use all analog console and outboard for recording and mixing. This is how my hybrid Analog / digital studio works, analog recording chain to digital mixer, then mix through the analog chain again. The MX2424 is old and uses scsi drives, but it is rock solid and the analog card option is a great sounding card. There are a group of us over at the Tascam Forums that are looking at stata mods to run sata drives.

Or of you want something newer a Tascam X-48 hard disc recorder with at least one 24 channel analog card fitted (it takes 2 for 48 tracks). There is a new X-48 Mk2 just been released so the old X-48's are being reduced in price. The old X-48 ran IDE drives and the mk2 runs sata.

Alan.
 
Thanks for the reply. Enjoyed the tour of your studio! I hate to sound ignorant, but I looked up the X 48 and the 24 channel I/O on line and dont understand how you would interface a board or pre amp with it?

It's using what looks like d-sub connectors that handle multiple channels? Is this a proprietary connection for a TASCAM board?

Second question: I see that you can use the X 48 as you would a tape machine, with real buttons to control transport functions, and you can augment this with a VGA display for a GUI. Is it safe to assume that you can set up configuration "scenes" that would include tracking, mixing (allowing for analog summing of a mix that can be digitally recorded) and mastering?
 
I work in a similar way to your plan except I use a digital mixer (a Yamaha DM1000) with an appropriate interface to feed individual tracks in an out of my laptop via Firewire.

The basic set up works well for me and your plan with the Zed R16 sounds promising although I don't have any personal experience with that board.

One thing to look into: One of the more difficult parts of your plan is the the DAW controller part. It's worth checking what protocols the R16 can work with and see if that suits anything on your shortlist for software. There's not really a "standard" for this so getting this right to start with is fairly important...the audio interface is relatively simple compared to control surfaces! I notice that the R16 comes bundled with Sonar (so I assume that will work with it) but it all bears checking.
 
Ephi82 said:
I hate to sound ignorant, but I looked up the X 48 and the 24 channel I/O on line and dont understand how you would interface a board or pre amp with it?

It's using what looks like d-sub connectors that handle multiple channels? Is this a proprietary connection for a TASCAM board?
Click to expand...

D-sub connectors are a standard live and studio connector just like XLR connectors or TRS jacks. The reason D-subs are used is that they take up a lot less space and are quicker to connect and disconnect. You can buy or make D-sub cables with XLR's, TRS or anything that you mixer is using on the other end. Some mixers also use D-sub connectors. Usually D-subs are to save space, imagine how much room 48 XLR (24 in and 24 out) connectors would take up, 48 XLR's are replaced with 6 D-Subs (3 in and 3 out), each D-sub has 8 ins or 8 outs all balanced.

Ephi82 said:
Second question: I see that you can use the X 48 as you would a tape machine, with real buttons to control transport functions, and you can augment this with a VGA display for a GUI. Is it safe to assume that you can set up configuration "scenes" that would include tracking, mixing (allowing for analog summing of a mix that can be digitally recorded) and mastering?
Click to expand...

I am not sure about the X-48 as I have not used one, but I use the MX2424 as a tape machine, using the tape like controls to arm tracks record and playback tracks, the auto punch in is second to none on this machine, the MX has 2 modes of operation, tape mode: where if you record over something it's gone (just like tape) and non-distruct mode: where you can have up to 999 undo's. The difference is that in tape mode the file sizes are kept under control and in non-distruct the files can get very large. However you can do simple editing in non-distruct, cut, paste, delete, volume and mute etc. The X-48 has a lot more including running plugins and on board automation and mixing to understand the X-48 better have a look at the X-48 section over at the Tascam Forums.

Cheers

Alan.
 
I have a bit of outboard gear myself and am planning on getting the Allen & Heath ZED R16. This might be perfect for you.
 
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